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Valentina Shevchenko May Have Been Forced to Vacate UFC Title to Save UFC 332

Valentina Shevchenko’s reign as UFC women’s flyweight champion came to an abrupt end ahead of UFC 332 after a shoulder and back injury forced her to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Natalia Silva. The UFC, facing a lack of star power on the card, opted to vacate the title rather than delay the event, leading to Silva and Wang Cong fighting for the now-empty belt.

Silva emerged victorious, securing the interim championship in the process. Reports suggest Shevchenko’s decision to vacate the title was not entirely voluntary, as the UFC prioritized a championship main event to boost attendance and ratings.

The event ultimately delivered record-breaking action, with 11 knockouts across the card, though initial buzz was low due to the absence of high-profile matchups.

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